Atlantic Avenue Annual Tree Lighting Event & Store Windows Competition a Huge Success and Fun for All! Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, New York – November 30, 2012 – On Thursday, November 29, 2012 the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation (AALDC) hosted its Annual Atlantic Avenue Tree Lighting Ceremony and festivities at the Belarusan Church on Atlantic Avenue in Boerum Hill. Approximately two hundred people attended, including children, parents, neighbors and local community leaders and representatives. The annual holiday celebration is free and open to the public and a favorite holiday event bringing people together from the neighborhoods surrounding Atlantic Avenue runs through from the river to the arena (Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, Downtown Brooklyn and Boerum Hill). This year’s theme, Atlantic Avenue through the Years — A Place of Holiday Joy! was reflected in the AALDC holiday poster which featured a black and white photograph from the 50s of a little girl marveling at the huge festive tree inside the Williamsburg Savings Bank at the time. The image was borrowed from the Brooklyn Historical Society’s archives. District Leader, JoAnne Simon, officiated the tree lighting together with Santa Claus and dozens of excited children and parents. AALDC board member, Eileen Trilli, announced the winners of this year’s Atlantic Avenue Holiday Windows Competition. The winners are Sterling Place, at 363 Atlantic Avenue, for Best Overall; Collier West, at 377a Atlantic Avenue, for Most Elegant; GUMBO, at 493 Atlantic Avenue for Spirit of the Season;and Dig, at 479 Atlantic Avenue, and Jonathan Adler, at 378 Atlantic Avenue, each won an honorable mention. The AALDC was very pleased to have as judges this year, prominent representatives of local community and cultural organizations: Erika Byrnes (Director of Development & Communications, Brooklyn Historical Society), Howard Kolins (President, Boerum Hill Association), Jane McGroarty (President, Brooklyn Heights Association), Tucker Reed (President, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership), and Carlo A. Scissura (President & CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce). See individual biographies at http://atlanticavenuebrooklyn.wordpress.com/window-contest/ Ms. Trilli reminded all to Shop the great stores, Dine the fine restaurants; and Celebrate the holidays along Atlantic Avenue. She also invited shoppers to look for participating stores that are giving away favorite holiday recipes to those who visit their stores. In an effort to brighten the holidays of children in local public housing who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy, the AALDC initiated a toys/book drive. Ms. Trilli thanked those who donated gifts of new toys or books and urged others to continue to donate. Gifts, wrapped and marked with intended age and gender, can be dropped off at Councilmember Stephen Levin’s office at 410 Atlantic Avenue between Nevins and Bond Streets in Boerum Hill. Following song and dance performances by children from local public schools 38 and 261, Rolie Polie Guacamole, the award-winning Brooklyn-based band, played their guitars and sang their famous tunes that get children up dancing and jumping around. Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn’s Borough President and the new Commanding Officer of the 84th Precinct, Maximo Tolentino, both addressed the crowd, and the children in particular. Markowitz gave a holiday shout out to the various religions and diversity of our neighborhood and in the great borough of Brooklyn. Captain Tolentino, who is new to the area, shared that he has met wonderful people in all corners of the 84th Precinct district and is pleased to be serving our community. Also present were Ashley Thompson, Chief of Staff for Councilmember Stephen Levin’s office and Elizabeth Stribling, the President and Founder of Stribling & Associates. Stribling and Con Edison are the sponsors of this year’s AALDC holiday events. Finally, the patient guests enjoyed the complimentary holiday treats...